Residential Security Tips

Entry Doors
"All exterior doors should be 1 ¾ inch thick solid wood, metal, or composite material. Secure all entry doors with 1"" deadbolts. Strike plates on most door jams are installed with ½ inch screws. Replace these with 3 inch long screws so that locked doors cannot be kicked in easily."

Door Peephole
Install a wide-angle peephole viewer in exterior doors. This will allow you to safely identify visitors BEFORE opening the door. If you cannot see who is at the door, DO NOT open it.

Windows
Install pins in window frames to prevent them from being opened from the outside. Use a bar or similar device on sliding patio doors. Many of the primary locks can be easily defeated. Auxiliary window locks can be found at your local hardware dealer. Be sure the pin can be easily removed in the event of fire.

Install Timers
These can be set to turn lights/radios/televisions on and off intermittently to give the appearance that someone is home and may cause thieves to move on to the house with no activity.

Exterior Lights
Install exterior lights to illuminate approaches to your home. Some of these lights should be equipped with a motion-sensing switch, which automatically turn on a light when body heat and motion are both present.

Landscaping
Trim shrubs so entry doors and windows can be seen from the street. Shrubs should not provide a hiding place for burglars. Shrubs should be trimmed below porch and window level. Do not allow landscaping to create a burglar-friendly environment. Tree limbs should be trimmed to prevent access to upper floor windows or balconies. All outdoor foliage should be trimmed to prevent obstruction of exterior lighting.

Privacy Fences
Make sure that your privacy fence does not provide cover for a burglar near a door or window. Maintain all gates with good quality padlocks.

Address
Make sure that your address is clearly visible from the street both day AND night. It is very frustrating and often increases the danger for all involved if emergency personnel cannot see your street address numbers when responding to help you. Well-lit house numbers and reflective paint with numbers on the curb at your driveway help a great deal.